Vizio VW26L Review – 26-inch LCD HDTV
Originally Reviewed on March 22nd, 2008Another entry in our latest Vizio line of budget HDTVs is the VIZIO VW26L. With a 26″ screen, and a retail price on the right side of $549, this set is ideal for use as a secondary television to be placed in the kitchen, kids room or spare bedroom. This piano-black beauty is high on features too, with full support for 1080i resolution in a less than 4-inch form factor (8 inches with the included detachable stand), and certainly impresses with its breathtaking brightness and a wide variety of input interfaces. A quick glance at the features and specs of this amazing and highly affordable liquid crystal display.
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VIZIO VW26L HDTV Features & Specifications Review:
• Resolution: 1080i (1366 x 768)
• Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
• Colors: 16.7 million
• Contrast ratio: 700:1
• Brightness: 500 cd/m2
• Viewing angle: 160°
• Display life: 50,000 hours
• Response time: 8 ms
• Built-in tuners: NTSC/ATSC/QAM
• Picture-in-picture: Yes
• PC compatible: Yes
• HDMI inputs: 1
• Component inputs: 1
• Composite inputs: 1
• S-Video input: 1
• PC-VGA input: 1
• Power consumption: 85 watts
• Weight: 24.9 pounds
All things considered, the VW26L is truly a unique product no matter how you gauge it: Whether via the build quality and design, the picture quality and feature set, and most importantly the price. You’d be hard pressed to find a better display in this price range of around $500, particularly when taking into account the HD capabilities of this set. The display remains vibrant in almost all light conditions, with rich levels of black. There is not notice any ghosting or burn-in problems, and the set remains an excellent choice for computer display and console gaming. At almost half the price of a Sony or Phillips, the VIZIO VW26L stands tall in defining the company slogan of Vizio: Where Vision Meets Value. Highly recommended!
HDTVUniverse.com gives the Vizio VW26L LCD HDTV 9/10 stars!
Get the Vizio VW26L HDTV online at:
Circuit City | Wal-Mart | Amazon.com
Fabian's reviewJuly 11, 2008
thank you very mutch for posting this review, i was contemplating the idea of purchesing this tv for a while but i wasn’t surtain of the quality of it and if it could satisfy my needs, after reading this review every need i could think of ,this tv satifies, even one i didnt know about, i though this tv was only good for 720p and i had come to accept this, but with this new information about the capability of it displaying 1080i and that its a great gaming tv, this is the desisive factor in my purchase, and im sure i speak for many when i say thank you for posting this and helping others in there undesisive desition to buy this tv .
sincerely – Fabian
Rick's reviewJuly 22, 2008
My wife and I bought this set from Walmart last September. Overall, a pretty good buy. The contrast ratio could be better in SD, but the picture really shines in HD. We hooked up our cable to the antenna connection, and get digital channels (and CBS, NBC, FOX, and PBS in 1080i). Wish there was a DD tuner and an audio output so we could watch HD in 5.1 surround sound with our home theater system, but at the price we paid, we’re pretty happy.
Carl Olson's reviewNovember 12, 2008
Sorry but one month after the warranty expired on my 26′ I took it to a repair shop becuse it would not turn on. The problem was the power board needed to be replaced and the cost of the part and labor was higher than the cost of the tv.
rusty powers's reviewJune 07, 2009
PICTURE ADJ. FLASHES CONSTANTLY. I MUST PAY SHIPPING TO HAVE REPAIRS. NOT A BARGAIN.
susan's reviewJanuary 15, 2010
Purchased this tv in January 2008. Was happy with it until tonight when it would not turn on at all. I heard on Facebook that Vizio had this reputation/problem, I.e. Complete breakdown once the warranty expires. Now I know it to be true first hand and am NOT pleased. Based upon Carl Olson’s comment above it looks like I will be buying a new tv because I will not pay more than the cost of the tv to have it fixed. I found it interesting that when I called Vizio customer service they referred me to two service companies that only service Vizio tvs. Can we say kickbacks? Or are the tvs made to break down so quickly so these companies can make all the repairs and pay Vizio for the referral. Something inherently wrong with that system. I will wait for a call from the service company tomorrow to see how much the repair will cost. If too much, I will immediately begin to tell everyone, via blog and an email campaign, the horrible quality of Vizio products. And I will email all retailers that sell them too. I also intend to report this to the Better Business Bureau. I am an attorney and if I can find enough people who had this problem I may even file a class action suit against this company.
Brad's reviewJanuary 18, 2010
I also have had this product for 15 months and have a total white screen, I’m guessing the repair bill is going to be more than the TV is worth. Contacted the Vizio service and they told me it has a major issue and will need to be brought to a TV repair shop. Very unhappy with Vizio quality and service. Evidently they are not very confident in their product if they can not stand behind issues that continue to happen with their TV’s. Let me know if anyone wants to file a class action law suit against Vizio, I would be in.
Phil Berrey's reviewMay 08, 2010
same problems, (vizio 32 inch that won’t turn on) i would be interested in being part of a class action suit as well.
Joanne's reviewMay 17, 2010
Purchased this product in December 2007. Was very happy with it immediately. The color was fantastic. Although I seldom buy an extended warranty, I did on this TV and glad I did. I know how fuzzy lines on the bottom of the screen and the color is horrible, mainly greens and browns. I have to ship it to Nashville, TN from California which is a pain, but the box to ship it in and the shipment cost is covered under the warranty I purchased. I’ve very disappointed that a 2 1/2 yr old TV is having to be repaired.
Dennis J Grondin's reviewSeptember 26, 2010
I purchased the Vizio 26″ on Feb. 2008, and as of today Sept. 2010 it has a problem turning on. The indicator Vizio light blinks on and off when power is applied but immediately turns off again. I have to keep hitting the power button on the side of the set after several trys, like about a dozen. It will come on, need patience, but there is something definately wrong with the power on with the tv.
I will never buy another Vizio again, it to me is a desposable throwaway tv not worth the money. Miss the tube tv’s, just replace a tube and your fixed
Shellisa's reviewSeptember 30, 2010
I jus bought my vizio. It was a great price, but I bought an extra coax cable because my cable wasnt showing up clear. But it was not the cable, Its the TV. Im glad Im am returning it, especially after reading the reviews.
Jeff's reviewOctober 26, 2010
My Vizio VW26L just went white while watching TV this morning. It has a manufacture date of April 2008. Has anyone else had this happen and if so, what was the end result? We’ve had the TV for less than 2 years.
Christy's reviewNovember 11, 2010
I have a 4 year old 32″ Vizio, it had the problems that Dennis describes above for months, but this past weekend, we unplugged to paint the bedroom where the TV is mounted on the wall. Now the TV will not turn on at all. Emailed tech support and got a few tips, which included holding the power button in for 30 seconds while the TV was unplugged to “reset” the TV, but it didn’t help. Now, I’m looking for a new TV, but won’t be buying a Vizio. My problem is I don’t want to replace the wall bracket!
C's reviewNovember 14, 2010
Ugh. We are still so angry about being ripped off by Costco/Viziio. We too purchased a 32″ and sure enough, at almost precisely the 2 year mark, it would no longer operate (approx breakdown date was spring of this year – 2010). After some research, we discovered this post-warranty breakdown scam that seems to be predominant with Vizio. Is Costco aware of this wide scale customer service issue I wonder? I thought they were much more customer focused than to sell an item of disrepute.
No recourse for any of us. We were all completely ripped off. Very frustrating, especially in these dire economic conditions – who can afford to, or justify, buying a new tv right now? Would rather give that money to charity to help those who have been jobless with no hope of employment anytime soon.
The up side – no more cable bills – we’ve discovered the joy of free tv online…..
RcR's reviewDecember 09, 2010
We purchased a Vizio 47 ” LCD HDTV about 2 years ago and it was working great one day and went to turn it on the next day and we did not get anything on the screen! As a customer I think we pay too much as it is for TV’s these days and for them to go out in 2 to 3 years is just ridicules. We have not yet checked to see what was wrong with this TV but the older TV’s lasted way longer and we way cheaper to get fixed.
Si's reviewDecember 17, 2010
I Had The Same problem 32 inch vizio…brought it 08…exactly at the two year mark..my tv will not turn on…at first it flicked on and off…then jus completely went out! never buying a vizio…its not worth it, buying a new tv,every 2 yrs!
DGC's reviewJanuary 13, 2011
Looks like everyone is having the same problem. Will not power on after 2 years of operation. I’m changing to Panasonic. They have the most favorable reviews. No more Vizio in my house or anyone else I can influence.
cm01's reviewJanuary 30, 2011
I want in on class action suit.
Same problem, loud pop, $$$$$ down the drain.
Syphyna's reviewFebruary 01, 2011
My husband and I purchased the Vizio 26″ in Feb 2008, today 2-1-11 it started where it didnt want to come on. Contacted Vizio and as they told everyone else to call a couple companies that are allowed to fix Vizio tvs. I was recently laid off and can’t afford all this crap. So my husband and I decided to just not turn the tv off. See how long we can get it to hang on considering this is our last one, our 46″ was stolen in November. /sigh
WilliamE's reviewFebruary 03, 2011
I got a 26″ LED-LCD from Walmart no more than 2 weeks ago, and now this POS turns itself off every now and then, and it take forever to get it to come back on, these things are being made with faulty power boards, and Vizio should be sued IMO, the sets should have been recalled and fixed….
Heidi's reviewFebruary 11, 2011
Ours is only 5 months old and just stopped working. It shuts itself off as soon as it turns on. This is so frustrating! After reading all the problems everyone seems to be experiencing with this TV and Vizio’s lack of customer service, I guess we are going to be stuck with a $500 broken TV. Feel so embarrassed we recommended it to our family members. Hope theirs doesn’t break too…
Craig's reviewMarch 29, 2011
We bought a 32 inch vizio and because lcd was pretty new, we payed $1000.00 for tv. It has same issue that I see in almost every post. It started turning itself of, then it wouldnt turn on. The orange light is lit, but no action. Very dissapointed, will never buy vizio, nor will I ever recondmend a vizio to anyone!!!
Danni & Lee's reviewMay 09, 2011
We bought a 32 inch vizio in september 2008 and it takes almost about an hour just to get the tv to turn on and stay on. Something told me not to buy
this tv i mean with a name like Vizo….. i knew to stay with brands that i was
familiar with. i will never ever buy anything with the name vizio attached to it ever again. I dont reccomend anybody to by this tv it is a total waste of money &i hope eventually someone does file a law suit!!!
cliff corso's reviewMay 20, 2011
Bought my 26″ at wal-mart in 01/08 last week it also would not turn on. Of course my warrenty is expired & I am taking the set to a local repair shop, but don’t seem to hopeful.
Iwas so happy with this but after reading the reviews I will never purchase from this co again.
Something needs to be done.
Daryl's reviewJuly 12, 2011
We also bought our Visio VW26L in 08 and it is now displaying the same problem as everyone else is having. It takes awhile to start so we let it on for the evening in fear that it may not start again. Can’t believe a company that’s getting such “good” reviews by others is letting a major problem continue without customer support. CLASS ACTION? Call me.
Aaron's reviewJuly 23, 2011
every one has different problems with this tv, I have had that tv since 2006 so it lasted for 5 years this brand is perfect for tv and LG to, now my pilot light wont come on and the power board is making a high pitch sound, so im going to save this tv for $90 by buying a power board, so dont say vizio sux cause for me this shit lasted longer that expected,
Mason's reviewNovember 20, 2011
Bought the VW26L around this time in 2009. Having similar issues with the unit not powering on. Pressing the power button several times gets the orange “VIZIO” indicator light off, but the picture is black and it’s possible to hear the tv trying to turn on.
Horribly short life span for a television… Sad.